Sheriff announces arrest of Jailer

By Jessica Coleman

Contributing Writer

On Wednesday, July 12, Jackson County Sheriff Kelly R. Janica announced in a press release posted on his office’s Facebook page that an employee of the department had been accused of violating the civil rights of someone in custody, and subsequently arrested.

At the time of the post the identity of the suspect was not released pending prosecutor approval.

Thursday morning, the accused was named as Donald J. Morris. Morris had been employed as a jailer at the Jackson County Jail for seven months, according to Chief Deputy David Johnson.  

“Tuesday, the Texas Rangers were asked to assist in the investigation,” the post read. “District Attorney Pam Guenther was also informed of the incident.”

Morris was arrested and charged with Violation of the Civil Rights of a Person in Custody – Improper Sexual Activity With a Person in Custody, a second degree felony, and his bond was set at $75,000.

“I will continue to hold the men and women that work for you to the highest standards,” said Janica in the conclusion of the release. “I will not tolerate any willful criminal conduct by anyone.”